2. Pre-Writing Exercises
Cluster: add as many ideas / associations as
possible. Look for a common thread.
Write a first (rough) draft as quickly as
possible: get it out, errs and all.
Summarize your idea; try it in 3 or less
sentences…
3. Writer’s Block
“What do I write about?” or “I don’t want to do this!”
Focus on the assignment: Person(s)
Who did I learn a valuable lesson from in my past?
What difference do I see now I didn’t see then?
What activities did I engage in? What did I learn
from the activity (about myself, and my
interests/abilities)?
“Bully” story: 3rd Grade, Scott McGlamery
4. Writer’s Block (part 2)
Place: visit a place from your past– what has
changed? What is the same? What is the meaning of
the place to your life– then v now?
Describe the setting– what time of day were you
observing it? What mood did you feel? Is the place in
good repair, or in need of work? Are many people
visible?
5. Writer’s Block (part 3)
Thing: this may be too broad to wrap your mind
around it– simplify…
What is something that: gives you comfort?
What is an object you use everyday?
What is something you see everyday?
What is something that makes you part of a group?
Example: notepad, rubber bands, pens.
“My Second Brain.”
6. Writer’s Block (End)
Other ideas: begin in the middle.
Talk it out: discuss in your group the connections in
your cluster… have you cast too wide a net? How can
you winnow down your choices? (After all, two and a
half pages come quick when you have a good topic).
Role Play: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes….
7. Thesis Exercise
Come up and grab a) one colored card: on each
card is a letter: find the person w/ the same color /
letter, and group together.
Grab one essay from either pile: either “Music—
Rough Draft” or “Kitchen, or Heart of the Abode”
Read. Using the clustering information, and
contents of the essay, determine the following:
what is the thesis, or main point (so far) of the essay?
Create an outline draft of the info you have found.
Discuss with class….
8. Rough Draft Work
Stay in the groups you are in: discuss the stage you are in
for your essay, due next Thursday, 9/20 (EOD).
If necessary, begin at the “Point of Contact” section of
either Chapter 2, 3, or 4 (depending on which essay you
chose for Journal 1, or Journal 2, whichever has “better
legs”).
Begin clustering; when finished, take turns
Developing the cluster; begin writing
A rough draft. NEXT WEEK: Bring 3 copies of your rough
draft, ready to be gone over.
9. Revision & Peer Review
If you already have a rough draft, ready to go, read
aloud: Use the “Revision” section at the end of a
chapter (2, 3, or 4)– ask specific questions. While the
person is reading, take notes about essay:
1) what is working? 2) Be specific
3) Use the questions listed to help the reader
determine how best to go forward…
10. NEXT WEEK: ROUGH DRAFT
Bring 3 copies of your draft for Peer review/ Revision
Continue working on Current Discussion Board
Any questions / concerns? Contact me or Tutors….